FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Rebecca Wallace
(608) 231-9275
E-mail: rwallace@fs.fed.us
Website: www.fpl.fs.fed.us

$36 Million Research Facility Coming to Forest Products Laboratory

Groundbreaking ceremony kicks off construction project

MADISON, Wis. — The U.S. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) will soon begin construction on a new 90,000 square foot Multi-Use Laboratory (MUL).

The $36 million facility will house state of the art equipment and laboratories for four major areas of research: wood preservation, durability, engineering mechanics, and composite sciences. The MUL was designed to address critical safety needs, update outdated and insufficient facilities, and greatly improve scientific capabilities. The facility will feature one-of-a-kind equipment, including a custom-made stainless steel weathering chamber that mimics actual weather conditions including temperature, humidity, sunlight, wind and rain.

“The Administration and the Congress have recognized the need to modernize our facilities,” said Chris Risbrudt, Director of the FPL. “We appreciate their support, which will allow us to continue to develop innovations that benefit the American consumer.”

Kraemer Brothers, LLC of Plain, Wisconsin, has been awarded the contract to construct the new facility. Completion is estimated for January 2010.

Note to Editors
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

Event: Groundbreaking ceremony for Multi-Use Laboratory at the Forest Products Laboratory

Place: USDA Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, Wis.

When: Wednesday, August 15, 2007; 9:00 – 11:45 a.m.

Highlights: Comments from Senator Herb Kohl, FPL Director Chris Risbrudt, and other invited speakers

-- Groundbreaking and photo opportunity
-- Media question and answer session
-- Tour of FPL

• Engineering Mechanics Lab (featuring demonstration of an air cannon firing a board at a wall structure at 100 m.p.h.)
• Composites Laboratory
• Pilot Plant for recycling and paper research

Who: Speakers to include Senator Herb Kohl, US Forest Service Deputy Chief for Research and Development Ann Bartuska, and FPL Director Chris Risbrudt.

The U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory was established in 1910 in Madison, Wis., with the mission to conserve and extend the country’s wood resources. Today, FPL’s research scientists work with academic and industrial researchers and other government agencies in exploring ways to promote healthy forests and clean water and improve papermaking and recycling processes. Through FPL’s Advanced Housing Research Center, researchers also work to improve homebuilding technologies and materials. Information is available at FPL’s Web site: www.fpl.fs.fed.us.

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For photos or additional information, contact:
Gordie Blum
Director of Communications
Forest Products Laboratory
gblum@fs.fed.us

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